Remembering Detroit Lions’ Chuck Hughes, Who Passed Away During a 1971 Game
I’m praying hard for Damar Hamlin of the Buffalo Bills. The whole nation watched in horror when he collapsed during Sunday’s (Jan. 2) game. Today, many NFL fans are praying and hoping for a speedy recovery.
This whole incident brings up some hard memories from 1971. The Detroit Lions’ Chuck Hughes is the only NFL player to have died during a game. He was just 28.
It happened on Oct. 24, 1971. The six-foot wide receiver fell onto the field of Detroit’s Tiger Stadium late in the game between his Lions and the Chicago Bears. A blood clot was lodged in a hardened artery in his heart, resulting in a deadly heart attack. It’s too awful to think about. I didn’t even know about this incident until some sports historians were bringing it up during discussions about Hamlin.
Back to Hamlin, his family has released a statement about the incident.
“On behalf of our family, we want to express our sincere gratitude for the love and support shown to Damar during this challenging time,” the statement reads. “We are deeply moved by the prayers, kind words, and donations from fans around the country.”